Inductive optical rotary sensor

Abstract

A rotary position sensor is includes a static portion that comprises a first board and a second board and a rotatable portion that comprises a third board. The second board comprises a first planar coil; and the third board comprises a second planar coil as well as means for generating luminance. The first board comprises means for receiving the generated luminance and the first planar coil of the second board is configured to transmit power to said second planar coil of said third board via inductance. The power received by said second planar coil is configured to supply a current to said means for generating luminance; and said means for generating luminance is configured to emit a luminance signal which has a luminance level.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A rotary position sensor comprising:
 a) a static portion comprising a first board and a second board; and 
 b) a rotatable portion comprising a third board; 
 wherein said second board comprises a first planar coil; 
 wherein said third board comprises a second planar coil and means for generating luminance; and 
 wherein said first board comprises means for receiving said luminance; 
 wherein said first planar coil of said second board is configured to transmit power to said second planar coil of said third board via inductance; 
 wherein said power received by said second planar coil is configured to supply a current to said means for generating luminance; and 
 wherein said means for generating luminance is configured to emit a luminance signal which has a luminance level and wherein said means for receiving said luminance is configured to receive and measure said luminance level, said luminance level being directly related to an angle of rotation of said third board. 
 
     
     
       2. The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein said luminance level is directly proportional to said amount of power received by said second planar coil. 
     
     
       3. The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein said means for receiving luminance comprises a light sensor. 
     
     
       4. The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein said means for receiving luminance is provided on a surface of the first board that is facing a surface of the second board. 
     
     
       5. The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein said first board comprises means for receiving DC power from a power supply. 
     
     
       6. The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the means for generating luminance is provided on a surface of the third board that is facing a surface of the second board. 
     
     
       7. The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein said means for providing luminance comprises an emitter LED or LEDs. 
     
     
       8. The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein first board is configured to provide power to said first coil of said second board. 
     
     
       9. The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein said second board is positioned between said first board and said third board. 
     
     
       10. The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein said means for generating luminance generates said luminance in the direction of said first board. 
     
     
       11. The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second planar coils are positioned so as to face each other. 
     
     
       12. The sensor of  claim 1 , wherein a degree of magnetic coupling between said first planar coil of the second board and said second planar coil of said third board varies with an angle of rotation of said third board. 
     
     
       13. A method of manufacturing a rotary position sensor comprising providing:
 a) a static portion comprising a first board and a second board; and b) a rotatable portion comprising a third board; and 
 the method further comprising providing a first planar coil on said second board; and 
 providing a second planar coil and a means for generating luminance on said third board; and 
 providing means for receiving said luminance on said first board; 
 wherein said first planar coil of said second board is configured to transmit power to said second planar coil of said third board via inductance; 
 wherein said power received by said second planar coil is configured to supply a current to said means for generating luminance; and 
 wherein said means for generating luminance is configured to emit a luminance signal having a luminance level and wherein said means for receiving said luminance is configured to receive and measure said luminance level, said luminance level being directly related to an angle of rotation of said third board. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein said luminance level is directly proportional to an amount of said power that is received by said second planar coil. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising connecting a DC power supply to said first board. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 13 , wherein said first board is configured to generate, from said DC power supply, an AC power supply, and wherein said first board is further configured to provide said AC power supply to said first coil of said second board.